Pitching, Late Rallies Rule The Day As ULM Sweeps TXST

Fraze was nearly perfect through 4.0 innings of work, striking out three and walking just one. Leigh (1-3) was saddled with the loss after conceding just one run on one hit in 3.2 innings.

MONROE, La. – The Texas State baseball team lost a Sunbelt Conference doubleheader to ULM Sunday afternoon at Warhawk Field.

The Bobcats (17-14-1, 5-7 SBC) gave up two runs in the eighth inning to lose 3-2 in the opener, and the Warhawks (17-15, 6-6 SBC) broke up a no-hitter in the eighth for the lone run of the finale to win 1-0.

Senior Derek Scheible led the maroon and gold at the plate with four hits, but it was the TXST pitching that ruled the day. Texas State used five hurlers across the two games and combined to allow just four runs on four hits. The Bobcat bats outhit ULM 12-4.

Texas State returns home for a midweek tilt against UTRGV at 6 p.m. April 10.

ULM 3, TEXAS STATE 2

The home side initially took a 1-0 lead after two frames, but the Bobcats scored in the fourth and fifth innings to move ahead 2-1. ULM continued to battle, however, and received a game-winning two-run home run from Turner Francis in the bottom of the eighth.

Scheible led TXST with a 2-for-4 effort. Junior Wes Engle picked up a no-decision after allowing just one run on two hits across the first 5.0 innings on the mound.

He struck out six and walked five. Classmate Brayden Theriot (0-1) picked up the loss after conceding the home run. He allowed two runs on just one hit, while walking and striking out one.

Texas State outhit the Warhawks 5-3, but the Francis home run was all ULM needed to secure the win.

Starter Trey Jeans allowed two runs on three hits in 4.1 innings, while striking out two and walking four. Cole Gray (2-1) did not allow a run on one hit in the next 3.2 frames, while closer Keegan Curtis collected his fifth save after tossing a scoreless ninth. He walked a batter and allowed a hit, but he kept both Bobcats on base.

ULM 1, TEXAS STATE 0

The sophomore duo of Nicholas Fraze and Zachary Leigh combined for a no-hitter through 7.2 innings, but Johnny DeLaCruz broke up the no-no with what proved to be a game-winning double to right-center in the bottom of the eighth.

Texas State outhit ULM 7-1 but could not scratch a run across, leaving five total on base.

Scheible had another pair of hits, and he was joined in the two-hit category by senior Luke Sherley and junior Jonathan Ortega.

Fraze was nearly perfect through 4.0 innings of work, striking out three and walking just one. Leigh (1-3) was saddled with the loss after conceding just one run on one hit in 3.2 innings. He struck out and walked three.

Justin Olaughlin and Curtis combined for the shutout on the hill for ULM. Olaughlin took a no-decision after giving up no runs on six hits in 6.2 innings. He struck out four and walked zero.

Curtis (3-1) earned the win after tossing the final 2.1 frames. He gave up just one run, while striking out two and walking none.

Chad Bell reached on a walk and scored the game-winning run.

Score by Innings                    R  H  E

———————————————

Texas State……… 000 110 000 –  2  5  0

ULM…………….. 010 000 02X –  3  3  3

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Win – Gray, C. (2-1). Loss – Theriot, B. (0-1). Save – Curtis, K. (5).

Score by Innings                    R  H  E

———————————————

Texas State……… 000 000 000 –  0  7  3

ULM…………….. 000 000 01X –  1  1  0

———————————————

Win – Curtis, K. (3-1). Loss – Leigh, Z. (1-3). Save – None.